Love and Other Tragedies – A YA Novel

~Sophie Bernbaum

Releases October 1, 2025

Love and Other Tragedies by Sophie Bernbaum, wow, where to start. First, and foremost, BRAVO Ms. Bernbaum. I picked this book up without even reading the blurb, and I’m so glad I did. From the first chapter, I was pulled into Rose’s world and left with a swirl of emotions I’m still unpacking. Out of the 89 books I’ve read this year, this one stands out as the most moving and poignant – a true triumph.

Bernbaum has given us a YA story that should resonate within our souls, giving us that burn to connect with our youth and help them build a better future for themselves and theirs. Love and Other Tragedies is a heartfelt, layered coming-of-age story blending romance, heartache, resilience, and pursuing dreams with brutal honesty.

At its core, the novel follows Rose, a high school senior navigating her most challenging year yet. She’s juggling ADHD, college applications, her dream of landing the lead role in the school musical, and a long-time crush on Beau – her best friend’s twin brother – who suddenly starts noticing her. Just as Rose dares to believe in romance, her life is upended when she and other students become victims of a hate crime at school. As the attacks escalate, Rose must decide whether she can simply enjoy her senior year – or whether she will stand up, fight back, and confront the prejudice and fear threatening her community.

Bernbaum handles these weighty themes with sensitivity and honesty, grounding them in Rose’s emotional journey without losing her humor, heart, or determination. The portrayal of ADHD is especially commendable – presented with both care and accuracy, while also weaving in genuinely helpful insights that even I found personally valuable.

The cast of characters is vivid and realistic, each one fully realized with vulnerabilities and struggles that reflect the daily lives of teens. Supporting characters are strong enough to enrich the story but never overshadow Rose.

The pacing is impeccable, the transitions seamless. Joy and heartbreak are balanced beautifully, reminding us that tragedy doesn’t erase love – it reshapes it. Whether through the messy tenderness of first love, the relentless challenges of ADHD, or the sobering reality of hate and injustice, Bernbaum’s writing shines with strength and authenticity.

Love and Other Tragedies is far more than a YA romance – it’s a story about resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to keep singing your own song even when the world tries to silence you. It’s a novel that will resonate long after the curtain falls.

I would like to thank Sophie Bernbaum for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC Love and Other Tragedies. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

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